UnitedHealthcare faces backlash over prior authorization policy

UnitedHealthcare Inc. is facing backlash from doctors over its decision to implement a policy that would require prior authorization for some surveillance and diagnostic colonoscopies, Fierce Healthcare reports. On May 15, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy – all representing physicians who do colonoscopies – sent a letter asking the insurer to rescind the directive, scheduled to take effect June 1.